Qari Ziaur Rahman
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Qari Ziaur Rahman is a citizen of Afghanistan who is reported to be a leader of the Taliban's leadership.[1]
[edit] Early life
Qari Ziaur Rahman's father, Maulana Dilbar, was a religious scholar.[1] Unlike some members of the Taliban's leadership, he can read and write. Qari Ziaur Rahman reports being from Konar Province. He reports that he memorized the entire Koran while a youth.
According to a profile in the Asia Times he grew up surrounded by Arab foreign fighters during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.[1] According to the Asia Times he is in his thirties.
[edit] Militant career
Asia Times reports that Qari Ziaur Rahman leads the Taliban's efforts in Konar, and that the United States has offered $350,000 bounty for information leading to his death or capture.[1] It reports that he rose to a leadership position on merit, not nepotism, while fighting against US forces.
Qari Ziaur Rahman was captured, in Pakistan.[1] But he was not transferred to US custody. Instead he was part of a prisoner exchange. It was following his exchange that he was elevated to leadership over all of Konar.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Syed Saleem Shahzad. "A fighter and a financier", Asia Times, May 23, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-22. mirror
